Universal and Fox movies blocked from iCloud on new Apple TV?

As we predicted, Apple quickly unveiled a refreshed Apple TV today at its media event in San Francisco before moving onto the new iPad. On top of 1080p video streaming, perhaps one of the biggest features of the device’s upgraded UI is the ability to access purchased movies stored in iCloud— just like with music and TV shows. Unfortunately, according to a report from AllThingsD, it looks like not all content will be accessible. Content from Comcast’s Universal and News Corp.’s Fox will not be available due to deals currently in place with HBO:

A studio executive tells me that Apple does not have all six of the major studios on board. And here’s confirmation from a source with first-hand knowledge: News Corp.’s Fox and Comcast’s Universal aren’t in, because they have preexisting deals with Time Warner’s HBO that give the pay-TV service exclusive “windows.” (News Corp. also owns this Web site.)

AllthingsD said that means those who own “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” and many other Fox or Universal movies, will be out of luck— at least for now. HBO spokesperson Jeff Cusson told AllthingsD a solution could be coming soon:

“With every technological enhancement, we have always been able to find common ground with our studio partners, and we’re sure that will be the result here.”

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